Juneteenth state law to take effect starting in October

While all 50 states recognize Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in America, Connecticut is among at least 18 states to legally recognize the day as a paid state holiday.

Connecticut recently made Juneteenth a state holiday, but this year’s commemoration will not be a paid day off for state employees.

The new law doesn’t take effect until Oct. 1 and the governor’s office still has to collectively bargain the holiday with state employee unions.

While all 50 states recognize Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in America, Connecticut is among at least 18 states to legally recognize the day as a paid state holiday. President John Biden signed legislation last year establishing the day as a federal holiday.

In recent years, several major companies in Connecticut, including The Hartford and Stanley Black and Decker, have begun observing the holiday with a day off for workers.

Connecticut has recognized Juneteenth as a commemorative holiday since 2003. The General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to make it a state holiday after an emotional debate in the waning days of the 2022 legislative session. Gov. Ned Lamont marked the new law with a ceremonial bill signing last week in New London with a replica of the slave ship Amistad behind him.

A fiscal analyis of the bill assumed Juneteenth would be considered a non-premium state holiday meaning employees who work on that day would not be eligible for bonus pay. The estimated price tag of giving state employees the day off is $1.8 million to $2.3 million.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut recently made Juneteenth a state holiday, but it won’t take effect until Oct. 1.